Global Rabies Expert Dr. Omesh Bharti Joins WHO's Prestigious STAG Committee

Padma Shree awardee Dr. Omesh Bharti, a global authority on rabies, has been appointed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the oversight committee of their Strategic Technical Advisory Group (STAG). This committee focuses on monitoring, evaluation, and research within the WHO's Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Department.

The oversight committee, comprising 18 members, is engaged in a mid-term evaluation of the NTD Road Map 2021-2030. The evaluation aims to assess the roadmap's progress in delivering significant results by 2030. Dr. Bharti's inclusion as an independent expert on neglected zoonotic diseases is a testament to his expertise and dedication.

Dr. Bharti, who holds a position with the National Health Mission in Shimla, has significantly influenced global health policy. His development of a low-cost protocol for dog bite treatment, adopted by WHO in 2018, earned him a Padma Shree in 2019. His presence in the committee represents a significant opportunity for India to contribute to international health strategy discussions.